Nelly
Biography
Cornell Iral Haynes Jr., known by the stage name Nelly, is an American singer and rapper born on November 2, 1974. He has been a member of the rap group St. Lunatics since 1993 and signed with Universal Records in 1999. Nelly launched his solo career in 2000 with the album Country Grammar, which peaked at number one on the Billboard 200 and sold more than 8.4 million copies in the United States. His subsequent album, Nellyville, featured the number-one singles Dilemma, featuring Kelly Rowland, and Hot in Herre. Other singles from that project included Work It. He has also been involved in acting.
Career overview
Cornell Haynes, Jr., known by the stage name Nelly, was born on November 2, 1974. He is an American singer and rapper. His musical career began in 1993 as a member of the rap group St. Lunatics. In 1999, he signed a contract with Universal Records.
Nelly launched his solo career in 2000 with the debut album Country Grammar. The title track of that album became a top ten hit, and the album itself debuted at number three on the Billboard 200 before peaking at number one. Country Grammar remains his best-selling album, with more than 8.4 million copies sold in the United States.
His subsequent album, Nellyville, featured the number-one hits Dilemma, which included Kelly Rowland, and Hot in Herre. Other singles from this period included Work It, featuring Justi. In addition to his work as a musician, Nelly is identified as an actor.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
45 titles- Hollywood Squares (2025) as Self
- iHeartRadio Jingle Ball 2025 (2025) as Self - Performer
- Hot Ones Versus (2024) as Self
- American Music Awards 50th Anniversary Special (2024) as Self
- Secret Sauce with Todd Graves (2023) as Self
- A GRAMMY Salute to 50 Years of Hip-Hop (2023) as Self
- VERZUZ (2020) as Self
- Tamron Hall (2019) as Self - Guest
- Untold Stories of Hip Hop (2019) as Self
- American Idol (2018) as Self - Performer
- Lip Sync Battle (2015) as Self
- Taylor Swift: The 1989 World Tour - Live (2015) as Self - Musical Guest
- Reach Me (2014) as E-Ruption
- Real Husbands of Hollywood (2013) as Nelly
- Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen (2009) as Self - Guest
- O Melhor do Flash Back - 92 Clipes Para Recordar (2009) as Self (archive footage)
- DJ Cinema Presents: Masterpiece Theater Blend Dvd (2009) as Self (archive footage)
- Black Poker Stars Invitational (2008) as Self
- Rip the Runway (2007)
- Dancing with the Stars (2005) as Self - Contestant
- The Reichen Show (2005) as Self - Guest
- The Longest Yard (2005) as Megget
- The Longest Yard (2005) Theme Song Performance
- It's the Shoes (2005) as Self
- Beef III (2005) as Self
- CSI: NY (2004) as Terrence Davis
- The Source Awards: From Behind (2004) as Self
- Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2003) as Self
- Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2003) as Self - Musical Guest
- The Ellen DeGeneres Show (2003) as Self
- Top of the Pops Saturday (2003) as Self
- Hip-Hop Honeys: Tasty Flavors (2003) as Self
- Nelly: The Search for Miss Apple Bottoms (2003) as Self
- CMT Crossroads (2002) as Self
- Snipes (2001) as Prolifik / Clarence
- Mark Twain Prize (1999) as Self
- The View (1997) as Self
- MADtv (1995) as Self
- The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (1992)
- The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (1992) as Self - Musical Guest
- MTV Video Music Awards (1984) as Self
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Self - Musical Guest
- American Music Awards (1974) as Self - Musical Guest
- The Grammys (1959) as Self
- Clear Lake as Chuck Berry
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Nelly best known for?
Nelly is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Hollywood Squares (2025), Hot Ones Versus (2024), Tamron Hall (2019), Tibetan Dog (2011).
When and where was Nelly born?
Nelly was born on November 2, 1974 in St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
How many credits does Nelly have?
Nelly has accumulated over 45 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1959 to 2025.
What is Nelly's background in cinema and television?
Cornell Iral Haynes Jr., known by the stage name Nelly, is an American singer and rapper born on November 2, 1974. He has been a member of the rap group St. Lunatics since 1993 and signed with Universal Records in 1999. Nelly launched his solo career in 2000 with the album Country Grammar, which peaked at number one on...
Nelly by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Hot Ones Versus (2024) as Self — aged about 49
- The Grammys (1959) as Self — aged about 15
- American Music Awards (1974) as Self - Musical Guest — aged about 0
- CMT Crossroads (2002) as Self — aged about 27
- MTV Video Music Awards (1984) as Self — aged about 9
- CSI: NY (2004) as Terrence Davis — aged about 29
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